An adolescent arrives at the emergency department (ED) with a fever and persistent lower right quadrant abdominal pain.
The patient is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating.
What acid-base imbalance does the nurse anticipate the patient will develop?
Respiratory alkalosis.
Respiratory acidosis.
Metabolic alkalosis.
Metabolic acidosis.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Hyperventilation leads to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. This causes the pH of the blood to increase, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
Choice B rationale
Respiratory acidosis is caused by a buildup of CO2 in the blood, typically due to hypoventilation (under-breathing). This is not consistent with the patient’s symptoms of hyperventilation.
Choice C rationale
Metabolic alkalosis is typically caused by a significant loss of acid from the body, such as from prolonged vomiting. This is not consistent with the patient’s symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Metabolic acidosis is typically caused by an increase in acid production within the body or a loss of bicarbonate from the body, such as in diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney disease. This is not consistent with the patient’s symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The symptoms described - right-sided numbness and weakness in the arm and leg, along with a distinct droop on the right side of the face - are indicative of a stroke. Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases. Initiating two large-bore IV catheters would allow for rapid administration of necessary medications and fluids. Reviewing the inclusion criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy is also important, as this type of therapy can help dissolve the clot causing the stroke and restore blood flow to the brain.
Choice B rationale
While continuous observation for transient episodes of neurological dysfunction is important in the care of a patient with suspected stroke, it is not the first course of action. Immediate medical intervention to treat the stroke is the priority.
Choice C rationale
Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees can help reduce intracranial pressure in a patient with a stroke. However, this is not the first course of action. Immediate medical intervention to treat the stroke is the priority.
Choice D rationale
Administering aspirin can help prevent further clot formation and platelet aggregation in patients with certain types of stroke. However, aspirin is not typically the first line treatment in the acute phase of a stroke, especially when the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) has not yet been determined.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","F"]
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Ventilation, B. Neurological status, C. Exposure, F. Circulation.
Choice A: Ventilation Ventilation is a crucial part of the primary survey in trauma assessment. It involves assessing the patient’s respiratory rate and effort, use of accessory muscles, cyanosis, and chest wall movement. The normal respiratory rate for adults is between 12-20 breaths per minute.
Choice B: Neurological status Neurological status is another vital component of the primary survey. It often involves assessing the patient’s level of consciousness, often using tools like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS score can range from 3 (completely unresponsive) to 15 (responsive).
Choice C: Exposure Exposure involves removing the patient’s clothing to check for any hidden injuries. It’s an essential step in trauma assessment, but there’s no “normal range” for this as it’s a process rather than a measurable variable.
Choice D: Current medications While knowing a patient’s current medications is important in managing their care, it’s not typically part of the primary survey in trauma assessment. This information is usually gathered during the secondary survey.
Choice E: Allergies Like current medications, information about allergies is also crucial in managing patient care, but it’s not part of the primary survey. This information is usually collected during the secondary survey.
Choice F: Circulation Circulation is a critical part of the primary survey. It involves checking the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, capillary refill time, and looking for any signs of external bleeding. The normal resting heart rate can range between 60-99 beats per minute.
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